Spurs hoping to persuade Ricardo Carvalho to retire and sign as a coach

Tottenham manager
Andre Villas-Boas is still hopeful of convincing Ricardo Carvalho to give up his playing career early and join his backroom staff at White Hart Lane.

CAlling it a day? Ricardo Carvalho (Picture: Getty Images)

The 34-year-old Real Madrid defender is currently out-of-favour at the Santiago Bernabeu, and was told he could quit the club for a nominal fee last month, when Tottenham and then QPR came calling.Tottenham had hoped to bring the vastly experienced Carvalho to North London to act as cover this season, with a view to the player joining Villas-Boas’ coaching staff next season, but the player snubbed the advances.QPR, who then agreed to loan Carvalho for the final year of his Madrid contract, also failed to bring the player in, as he was unwilling to move his family from Spain.But with the transfer window now shut, the former Portugal star is facing up to a fringe role with the Liga champions.However, Villas-Boas is set for a second round of talks with Carvalho over the weekend, in a bid to convince him to retire now, and join Spurs as an academy coach.Villas-Boas is desperate to bring his compatriot in, having eyed up his coaching credentials during spells working together at Porto and then Chelsea.It is not yet clear whether Carvalho will accept the offer, but Madrid are willing to agree, as they look to get his hefty wages off their books this term.